Systems and methods for displaying products

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for displaying products are described. One system comprises a lockable sidekick display configured to display a product.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to systems and methods for displaying products.

BACKGROUND

Certain products offered for sale in a retail environment may bedangerous or prone to theft. However, keeping such a product in an areaoff-limits to or out of sight from a customer may decrease a retailer'sability to sell the product. Similarly, one of these products may bestored in a conventional display unit visible to the customer (such as alockable jewelry/cosmetic counter case, a lockable electronics cabinet,or a gravity-feed display behind a counter), but many conventionaldisplay units may be difficult to move, take up a significant amount ofretail floor space, be incompatible with certain products, or requireplacement distant from an associated product or class of products not asdangerous or likely to be stolen, thereby decreasing opportunities forcross-marketing and selling.

Display units in a retail environment may be costly to replace and mayrepresent a significant expense in the set-up of a retail environment.Accordingly, a retailer with an existing store location may be resistantto modifying or replacing existing display units in order to accommodatea new product or service. Conventional display units may be configuredto display a variety of different products during different retailseasons or sale periods, and a retailer may wish to minimize the timerequired to change out products in a display unit. Conventional displayunits may also be ill equipped to prevent damage to a product caused bya customer or employee. Accordingly, a demand exists for further systemsand methods capable of safely and securely displaying a product in aretail environment.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods fordisplaying products. One illustrative embodiment comprises a lockablesidekick display configured to display a product.

This embodiment is mentioned not to limit or define the invention, butto provide an example of an embodiment of the invention to aidunderstanding thereof. Illustrative embodiments are discussed in theDetailed Description, and further description of the invention isprovided there. Advantages offered by the various embodiments of thepresent invention may be further understood by examining thisspecification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention are better understood when the following Detailed Descriptionis read with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a retail store layout comprising a display unitaccording to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a retail store displaysystem, wherein a lockable sidekick display is shown in a closed andlocked configuration according to one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional elevation view of a lockable sidekickdisplay according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of a back of a lockable sidekick display anda mounting bracket according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method according to one embodiment of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a method according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods fordisplaying products. The systems and methods embodying the invention canbe adapted for use in many environments, wherever there is a need todisplay a product. For example, in one embodiment, a lockable sidekickdisplay may be used to display a product that may be dangerous or proneto theft.

The illustrative embodiments below show the invention used in a retailenvironment in association with systems and methods used to displayrefillable carbon dioxide tanks designed for use with paintball guns. Inother embodiments, the present invention may be used to display variousother types of products. For example, in various embodiments, a displayaccording to the present invention may be used to display products suchas food, wine, beer, spirits, chemicals, cleaners, paints, tools,ammunition, medicines, contraceptives, or tobacco products.

Referring now to the Figures, in which like part numbers depict likeelements throughout the Figures, FIG. 1 is a plan view of a public areain a retail store layout 10 according to one embodiment of the presentinvention. In the layout 10 shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of aisles 20are shown. The aisles 20 comprise floor space left between adjacentmodular display units 30. The modular display units 30 may comprise, forexample, adjustable shelving used to display items a consumer can selectfrom while moving about the aisles 20.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, an endcap display 40 is placed at theend of each row of modular displays 30. One or both of the modulardisplays 30 and the endcap displays 40 may comprise an existing retailshelving system. Some retailers may use the endcap displays 40 todisplay items that are sale-priced or seasonal in nature. As such, theitems displayed in the endcap displays 40 may change frequently. Theendcap displays 40 may comprise one or more adjustable shelves used todisplay a product.

The store layout 10 further comprises a plurality of lockable sidekickdisplays 50 disposed on the side of each endcap display 40. The lockablesidekick displays 50 are disposed such that they are coupled to at leastone of the adjacent endcap display 40 and the adjacent modular display30. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the lockable sidekick displays 50are positioned on both sides of the aisle 20, and on a single side ofthe endcap displays 40. In other embodiments, one or more lockablesidekick displays 50 may be positioned on only one of the aisle 20, oron both sides of an endcap display 40.

The store layout 10 shown in FIG. 1 further comprises a sales counter60. At the sales counter 60, an employee may be stationed to operate acash register 70. In another embodiment, one or both of the salescounter 60 and the cash register 70 may be located in an areainaccessible to a customer (a private area) of the retail store. In oneembodiment, a stocking container may be placed in a private area of theretail store, and products may be stocked in the stocking container,inaccessible to the customers. When desired by a retailer, the lockablesidekick display 50 in the public area of the store layout 10 may be atleast partially refilled with one or more products from the stockingcontainer.

As shown in FIG. 1, the store layout 10 is arranged such that thelockable sidekick displays 50 are in clear view of the sales counter 60and the cash register 70. In another embodiment, one or more (or all) ofthe lockable sidekick displays 50 may be positioned such that they arenot in view of the sales counter 60 or the cash register 70. In yetanother embodiment, at least one of the lockable sidekick displays 50and the floor space nearby may be electronically monitored (such as byvideo surveillance, motion detectors, weight sensors, a call buttonplaced nearby, etc.) to alert one or more employees that a consumer maywish to purchase an item within the lockable sidekick display 50.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a perspective view of a portion of a retailstore display system 210 is shown. The display system 210 comprises amodular display 230, an endcap display 240 (of which only the base shelf243 is visible in FIG. 2), and a lockable sidekick display 250. Thelockable sidekick display 250 is configured to prevent damage or loss toone or more products displayed therewithin, such as may be caused by acollision with a shopping cart, a customer, or other accident ormalicious act.

The modular display 230 shown in FIG. 2 comprises a plurality of shelves233, one or more of which may be adjustable. The shelves 233 areconfigured to be coupled with at least the side 235 of the modulardisplay 230. The modular display 230 further comprises a frame member236. The frame member 236 comprises a plurality of receptacles therein(not shown) into which one or more types of brackets, shelves, or otherfixtures may be inserted, thereby coupling the inserted item to theframe member 236.

The endcap display 240 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is coupled tothe modular display 230. The endcap display 240 comprises a plurality ofshelves 243, all of which but the bottom shelf 243 are hidden from viewin FIG. 2 behind the lockable sidekick display 250.

The lockable sidekick display 250 is shown in a closed and lockedconfiguration. The lockable sidekick display 250 is configured todisplay two different types of products. The first type of product is asteel 9-ounce refillable tank filled with carbon dioxide, and the secondtype of product is a steel 20-ounce refillable tank filled with carbondioxide. Both of the refillable tanks are configured to be coupled to apaintball gun in order to provide a propulsive force thereto. In anotherembodiment, the lockable sidekick display 250 may be configured todisplay only a single type of product, or may be configured to displaymore than two different types of products.

The lockable sidekick display 250 comprises a case 251. The case 251 inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 2 has been fabricated by punching openingswithin, bending, and welding multiple sheets of steel into a suitableconfiguration. In the present embodiment, the case 251 comprises thefollowing dimensions: 53 inches high, 14 inches wide, and 5.5 inchesdeep. In another embodiment, the case 251 may comprise one or moredifferent dimensions (for example to comply with a retailer's guidelinesfor sidekick displays), be fashioned from another suitable material orin a different manner. For example, the case 251 may be fashioned fromaluminum or a plastic material, or may be fashioned by injectionmolding, forging, casting, bonding, melting, or otherwise manipulatingone or more pieces of one or more materials into a suitableconfiguration.

The lockable sidekick display 250 further comprises a plurality ofshelves 252. In different embodiments, the lockable sidekick display 250may comprise a greater or lesser number of shelves, or may not compriseany shelves at all. In one such embodiment, the lockable sidekickdisplay 250 may comprise one or more pins or hooks used to hang items,one or more racks, or one or more other elements known in the art usedto display items. The shelves 252 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 areadjustable. In another embodiment, one, a plurality, or all of theshelves 252 may be non-adjustable. In the embodiment shown, the shelves252 are fabricated from steel sheet metal, bent into a suitableconfiguration. In a different embodiment, the shelves 252 may befashioned using another suitable process, or may be fashioned from adifferent suitable material, such as aluminum or a plastic material.

Each of the shelves 252 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 comprises asign holder 254. The sign holders 254 comprise a tongue-in-groove typereceptacle in which a sign may be inserted horizontally from one end.The sign holders 254 are configured to secure a sign so inserted fromthe top and the bottom of the sign. In a different embodiment, one ormore of the shelves 252 may not comprise a sign holder 254, or maycomprise another suitable type of sign holder 254.

One or more of the openings in the case 251 of the lockable sidekickdisplay 250 may be configured to couple with either one or more of theshelves 252, or to a mounting bracket, such as the mounting bracketshown in FIG. 4. A mounting bracket in one embodiment may be configuredto mount the lockable sidekick display 250 to one or both of a portionof the modular display 230 and a portion of the endcap display 240. Sucha mounting bracket may be used by inserting a first end thereof into anopening in the lockable sidekick display 250, and a second end into anopening in an existing retail shelving system (such as the modulardisplay 230 or the endcap display 240), thereby coupling the mountingbracket to both the lockable sidekick display 250 and the existingretail shelving system.

In one embodiment, the lockable sidekick display 250 may be designed soas to be compatible with several different manufacturers' conventionalmounting bracket products. In another embodiment, the lockable sidekickdisplay 250 may be designed to work with a unique mounting bracketaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring still to FIG. 2, the lockable sidekick display 250 furthercomprises a door 256. The door 256 is configured to permit viewing of aproduct or information associated with a product within the lockablesidekick display 250 when the door 256 is closed, and to permitinsertion and removal of items into the lockable sidekick display 250when it is open. The door 256 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2comprises a doorframe 257 and a window 258. In another embodiment, thedoor 256 may comprise fewer or lesser parts than in the presentembodiment.

The door frame 257 is fashioned from steel channel material comprisingan inside channel width dimension of approximately 0.188 inches andconfigured to receive the window 258 therewithin. The steel channelmaterial has been cut to a suitable dimension and welded into a suitableshape at two of the door frame's 257 corners, while the top piece of thedoor frame 257 is coupled to the sides thereof with corner bracketsconfigured to receive screws so that the window 258 may be installed andremoved as necessary. In another embodiment the doorframe 257 maycomprise a different suitable material or may be fashioned using one ormore different suitable processes. In yet another embodiment, the door256 may not comprise a doorframe 257, and the door 256 may comprise ahinged window 258 with a lock 259.

The doorframe 257 is movably coupled to the case 251 along its verticalside opposite the lock 259 using three hinges (not shown). In oneembodiment, the hinges may comprise, for example, part number BRC02019available from American Performance Industries, Inc. of Sanford, N.C.The hinges are welded to the doorframe 257, and coupled to the case 251using screws. The hinges are configured to conveniently allow the door256 to open and close when the lock 259 is unlocked. In anotherembodiment, the door 256 may be movably coupled to the case 251 inanother suitable manner.

The window 258 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 comprises a transparentPlexiglas sheet of approximately 0.168-0.186 inches thickness securelyheld in the doorframe 257. In another embodiment, the window 258 may befashioned from another suitable material that allows a customer to viewat least one of a product and information associated with a productwithin the lockable sidekick display 250 when the door 256 is closed.For example, tempered glass, or a metal wire mesh or screen coupled tothe doorframe 257 may be used.

The lockable sidekick display 250 further comprises a lock 259configured to restrict access to the interior of the lockable sidekickdisplay 250 and any products therein by preventing the door 256 fromopening without using a key to unlock the lock 259. The lock 259comprises a keyed lock. In another embodiment, the lockable sidekickdisplay 250 may comprise a plurality of locks 259, one or more of whichmay comprise another suitable type, such as a combination lock, abiometric verification interface, a magnetic lock, or a radio frequencyactuated lock.

The lock 259 is positioned adjacent the side 252 of the lockablesidekick display 250. The door 256 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 isconfigured to open from the side 252 when the lock 259 is unlocked. In adifferent embodiment, the door 256 may be configured to open from theopposite side of the lockable sidekick display 250, from the bottom orthe top of the lockable sidekick display 250, or may be adjustable to beopened from multiple directions, either simultaneously or in thealternative. In another embodiment, the lockable sidekick display 250may comprise a plurality of doors 256, one or more of which may comprisea lock 259, and one or more of which may not.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the case 251, the shelves 253, thesign holders 254, and the door frame 257 have all been painted toincrease resistance to rusting and add visual impact, but in anotherembodiment one or more of these parts may be left unpainted or may befashioned from one or more materials each comprising one or more uniquecolors, textures, or reflective properties.

In some embodiments, one or more elements of the lockable sidekickdisplay 250 may be marked with information associated with a productdisplayed within the lockable sidekick display 250. For example, theside 252 of the case 251 may be marked with marketing information in abold color or font configured to catch a customer's attention as he orshe passes down an aisle. As shown in FIG. 2, in one embodiment, thelockable sidekick display 250 extends at least partially farther intothe aisle than the modular display 230 adjacent thereto. Thisconfiguration may provide a customer in an aisle adjacent the modulardisplay 230 with a clear line of sight to the side 252 of the lockablesidekick display 250, and any information marked thereon. In anotherembodiment, the door 256 or the case 251 of the lockable sidekickdisplay 250 may comprise a sign holder configured to hold a signassociated with one of the products displayed within the lockablesidekick display 250 (or even information associated with a product orservice that bears little or no relation to the products displayedwithin the lockable sidekick display 250.

In one embodiment, one or more of the shelves 253 may be configured tosupport a product at an angle configured to reduce the amount of spacerequired between two adjacent shelves 253 within the lockable sidekickdisplay 250 while permitting ingress and egress of a product. Forexample, in the embodiment shown, each of the shelves 253 is angled at15° from horizontal towards the door 256, such that a 20-ouncerefillable steel tank displayed within the lockable sidekick display 250with its fitting angled towards the door 256 and supported by both ashelf 253 and a portion of a sign holder 254 that is part of the shelf253. In another embodiment, a different angle may be used, or a productmay be angled away from the door 256.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a cross-sectional elevation view of a lockablesidekick display 350 according to one embodiment of the presentinvention is shown. As shown in FIG. 3, the lockable sidekick display isfilled with a plurality of refillable containers 390 configured to befilled with a compressible gas (such as carbon dioxide) and coupled to apaintball gun to provide a propulsive force thereto. The lockablesidekick display 350 comprises four shelves 353, and is configured todisplay two different sizes of refillable containers 390.

The top shelf 353 of the lockable sidekick display 350 is substantiallyperpendicular to the longest dimension of the lockable sidekick display350. The top shelf is configured to hold twelve 9-ounce refillablecontainers 390 in a six-wide by two-deep arrangement. Each of the threelower shelves 353 is configured to hold four 20-ounce refillablecontainers 390 in a four-wide by one-deep configuration. In theembodiment shown, all shelves 353 but the top shelf 353 have a shelfbottom 363 that is angled towards the front of the lockable sidekickdisplay 350 at an angle of 15° from horizontal. In the embodiment shownin FIG. 3, the shelf bottoms 363 are angled to decrease the amount ofspace required between the shelves 353 and still permit ingress andegress of the 20-ounce refillable containers 390. In a differentembodiment, none, all, or a greater or lesser number of the shelves 353in the lockable sidekick display 350 may be angled.

As shown in FIG. 3, each of the shelves 353 comprises a sign-holder 354.The configuration of the shelf 353 and sign-holder 354 combination issuch that the 20-ounce refillable containers 390 on the three lowershelves 353 are supported by the top of the adjacent sign holder 354 andby the bottom 363 of the adjacent shelf 353. As shown in FIG. 3, the20-ounce refillable containers 390 are displayed in the lockablesidekick display 350 such that they lean towards the front of thelockable sidekick display 350, thus making ingress and egress of thecontainers 390 easier.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an elevation view of a portion of a back of alockable sidekick display 450 is shown coupled with a plurality ofmounting brackets 480 according to one embodiment of the presentinvention. The mounting brackets 480 are configured to couple thelockable sidekick display 450 to a modular display (such as the modulardisplay 230 shown in FIG. 2). In the embodiment shown, two mountingbrackets 480 are coupled to the lockable sidekick display 450. Inanother embodiment, a single mounting bracket 480 or three or moremounting brackets 480 may be used to couple the lockable sidekickdisplay 450 to another display unit. In yet another embodiment, thelockable sidekick display 450 may be configured to couple directly witha display unit without the use of a mounting bracket 480.

As shown in FIG. 4, the back of the lockable sidekick display 450comprises a plurality of sets of four rectangular mounting bracketreceptacles 490. Each of the plurality of sets of four rectangularmounting bracket receptacles 490 are arranged to provide severallocations for the mounting brackets 480 to couple with the lockablesidekick display 450. By providing a variety of locations for eachmounting bracket 480 to couple with the lockable sidekick display 450,an installer of the lockable sidekick display 450 may be able to selectthe location most compatible with existing store displays. Each of therectangular mounting bracket receptacles 490 are configured to receive acorresponding portion of the mounting bracket 480, such as a tab, aflap, or a hook.

As shown in FIG. 4, the mounting brackets 480 each comprise a pluralityof mounting tabs 482. The mounting tabs 482 are each configured toengage a set of four rectangular mounting bracket receptacles 490 in thelockable sidekick display 450. Each of the mounting brackets 480 furthercomprises a spring pin 484. The spring pin 484 is configured to push apin toward the back of the lockable sidekick display 450. The lockablesidekick display 450 further comprises a plurality of spring pinreceptacles 492. The spring pin receptacles 492 are arranged so that thespring pin 484 engages with a spring pin receptacle 492 only when themounting tabs 482 are fully engaged with a set of the mounting bracketreceptacles 490. As such, the spring pins 484 can provide an installerof the lockable sidekick display 450 with verification that the mountingbracket 480 is securely coupled with the lockable sidekick display 450.

Each of the mounting brackets 480 shown further comprises a plurality ofhooks 486 on one of the ends thereof. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4,the hooks 486 are arranged to couple with receptacles in a vertical barof a modular display. For example, when used with the modular display230 described with respect to FIG. 2, the hooks 486 may be coupled withreceptacles in the side of the vertical frame member 236. In anotherembodiment, the mounting brackets 480 may comprise hooks 486 on bothends, or on the side of the mounting bracket 480 facing away from thelockable sidekick display 450. In one such embodiment, hooks 486 may beconfigured to couple with a portion of an endcap display, such as theendcap display 240 shown in FIG. 2.

Certain embodiments of the present invention may comprise methods, suchas methods for displaying products. Referring now to FIG. 5, one suchmethod 500 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.As shown in box 505, the method 500 comprises placing a lockablesidekick display in a public area of a retail store. For example, thelockable sidekick display (50) may be placed adjacent an endcap display(40) and a modular display (30) as described above with respect toFIG. 1. In one illustrative embodiment, a lockable sidekick display maybe placed in a public area of a retail store within sight of a cashregister (70) or another location a store employee may be known tofrequent.

In another embodiment, a lockable sidekick display configured to displaya first product may be placed such that it is adjacent to a display of asecond product associated with the first product. For example, themodular display (230) shown in FIG. 2 may be configured to display avariety of paintballs designed for use with paintball guns. In such anembodiment, a lockable sidekick display (such as the lockable sidekickdisplay (250) described with respect to FIG. 2) may be configured tohold one or more sizes of refillable aluminum tanks filled with acompressible gas (such as carbon dioxide), and designed to couple with apaintball gun that uses the paintballs displayed in the adjacent modulardisplay (230).

In some embodiments, placing the lockable sidekick display within apublic area of a retail store may comprise coupling a first end of amounting bracket to the lockable sidekick display by inserting the firstend into one or more holes in the lockable sidekick display. In such anembodiment, a second end of the mounting bracket may be coupled to oneor more parts of an existing retail shelving system (such as the modulardisplay (230) or the endcap display (240)). The lockable sidekickdisplay may be designed to accept a plurality of suitable conventionaltypes of mounting brackets produced by multiple manufacturers or used bymultiple retailers. In another embodiment, the lockable sidekick displaymay comprise an integral mounting bracket, or may come equipped with aunique mounting bracket according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

Referring still to FIG. 5, as shown in box 515, the method 500 furthercomprises placing a stocking container in a private area of the retailstore. For example, in one embodiment, the stocking container maycomprise a container configured to house a larger number of productsthan the lockable sidekick display, such as a conventional warehouseshelving system or a pallet of products housed in stackable cartons.Such a stocking container may be located in an area that is at leastsubstantially off-limits to customers of a retail store (such as astock-room).

The method 500 further comprises stocking the stocking container asshown in box 525. In one embodiment, the stocking container may bestocked by manually or automatically loading one or more products intothe stocking container. In another embodiment, the stocking containermay be stocked at a remote location and may arrive at the retail storeat least partially stocked. In one such embodiment, the stockingcontainer may comprise a pallet that has been fully loaded at aservicing, manufacturing, or distribution site owned by the retailer ora different party.

As shown in box 535, the method 500 comprises unlocking the lockablesidekick display. For example, the lockable sidekick display (250) maybe similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 and may comprise one ormore keyed locks (259). One or more store employees may have access to akey configured to unlock the lock (259).

After unlocking the lockable sidekick display, the method 500 furthercomprises refilling the lockable sidekick display from the stockingcontainer as shown in box 545. For example, in one embodiment, anemployee may be charged with keeping track of an inventory of productsdisplayed within a lockable sidekick display (250) as described abovewith respect to FIG. 2. In such an embodiment, the employee may accessthe stocking container in the private area of the retail store when heor she notices a product in short supply.

He or she may then bring one or more of the products into the publicarea of the retail store and use a key to unlock the lock (259) on thelockable sidekick display (250). He or she may then open the door (256)of the lockable sidekick display (250) in order to gain access to theshelves (253) therewithin. He or she may then refill the lockablesidekick display (250) with the appropriate number and type of productsbased on a variety of factors, such as the date, past sales data, orspace available within or configuration of the lockable sidekick display(250). The employee may also wish to remove one or more products fromthe lockable sidekick display (250) at the same time due to a change inretail season, slow selling-performance, etc.

As shown in box 555, the method 500 further comprises displaying theproduct(s) in the lockable sidekick display. For example, in oneembodiment, after the lockable sidekick display has been at leastpartially refilled from the stocking container, an employee may closeand lock the lockable sidekick display. In some embodiments, thelockable sidekick display may be configured to lock automatically uponclosing a door or other access element. In one embodiment, a retailermay mark at least a portion of the lockable sidekick display withinformation associated with a product displayed therein. For example,the lockable sidekick display may comprise one or more sign-holders(such as the sign holders (254) described above with respect to FIG. 2)that a retailer may wish to use with signs providing information about adisplayed product's price, quality, purpose, hazards, etc.

Referring now to FIG. 6, another method 600 according to an embodimentof the present invention is shown. The method 600 comprises placing alockable sidekick display (such as the lockable sidekick display (250)described above with respect to FIG. 2) within sight of a cash registerin a retail store as shown in box 605. The resulting store layout may besimilar to the store layout (10) described above with respect to FIG. 1.

The method 600 further comprises displaying at least one substantiallyfull refillable container in the lockable sidekick display as shown inbox 615. As described above, the refillable container may comprise, forexample, a steel or aluminum 20-ounce tank configured to couple with apaintball gun and filled with carbon dioxide.

As shown in 625, the method 600 further comprises receiving an emptyrefillable container. For example, a customer may approach an employeeof a retail store with an empty refillable carbon dioxide tank that thecustomer may own, or that a company providing a tank exchange servicemay own. In another embodiment, an automatic vending machine may receivethe empty refillable container and provide the customer with a receiptindicating that he or she has returned the empty refillable container tothe retail store in question.

The method 600 further comprises unlocking the lockable sidekick displayas shown in box 635. For example, this may be done in a manner describedabove with respect to FIG. 5. The employee may unlock the lockablesidekick display in response to a manual alert that a customer needs areplacement refillable container (such as a conversation between thecustomer and the employee) or an automatic alert (such as receiving anelectronic or printed notification that a customer has returned theempty refillable container and is seeking a full replacement). In yetanother embodiment, the customer may automatically receive a codeconfigured to unlock at least a portion of the lockable sidekick displayin response to returning the empty refillable container.

As shown in box 645, the method 600 further comprises exchanging thereceived empty refillable container with the full refillable containerfrom the lockable sidekick display. In one embodiment, the exchange maybe made entirely by a store employee. In another embodiment, the processmay be automated such that an employee is not required to be involvedwith the exchange. In some embodiments, the exchange of refillablecontainers may take place in exchange for a fee paid by the customerbringing in the empty refillable container, either at the time of theexchange, in advance, or on a recurrent basis.

The method 600 further comprises filling the empty refillable containeras shown in box 655. For example, a retailer may refill a 9-ouncealuminum tank configured to be coupled to a paintball gun with carbondioxide after being received in an empty state from a customer. Inanother embodiment, a third party may collect the empty refillablecontainers from the retailer and provide the refilling services prior toreturning at least a portion of the refilled containers.

The method 600 finally comprises inserting the refilled refillablecontainer into the lockable sidekick display as shown in box 665. In oneembodiment, this may comprise unlocking the lockable sidekick display,opening a door thereof, and inserting at least one refilled refillablecontainer into the lockable sidekick display prior to closing andlocking the lockable sidekick display. In one such embodiment, astocking container as described above with respect to FIG. 5 may be usedto store at least a portion of the refilled refillable containers in aprivate area of the retail store until such time that they are needed torestock the lockable sidekick display.

The foregoing description of embodiments of the invention has beenpresented only for the purpose of illustration and description and isnot intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the preciseforms disclosed. Numerous modifications and adaptations thereof will beapparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention.

1. A system comprising: a lockable sidekick display configured todisplay a product.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the lockablesidekick display comprises: a case; a door configured to permit viewingof at least one of the product and information associated with theproduct when closed, and to permit at least one of removal and insertionof the product when open; and a lock configured to restrict access tothe product.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of thedoor comprises a transparent material.
 4. The system of claim 2, whereinthe lock comprises at least one of the following: a keyed lock and acombination lock.
 5. The system of claim 2, wherein at least a portionof at least one of the case and the door is marked with informationassociated with the product.
 6. The system of claim 2, wherein at leasta portion of at least one of the case and the door is configured toprevent damage to the product.
 7. The system of claim 2, wherein thecase comprises a plurality of openings configured to couple with atleast one of a shelf within the case and a first end of a mountingbracket comprising a second end configured to couple with an existingretail shelving system.
 8. The system of claim 7, further comprising: anexisting retail shelving system.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein theproduct comprises a first type of product, and wherein the lockablesidekick display is further configured to display a second type ofproduct.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of thelockable sidekick display comprises sheet metal.
 11. The system of claim1, wherein the lockable sidekick display is located in a public area ofa retail store, and further comprising: a stocking container placed in aprivate area of the retail store from which the lockable sidekickdisplay may be at least partially refilled.
 12. The system of claim 1,wherein the product comprises at least one of a refillable containerconfigured to be filled with a compressible gas and a quantity of thecompressible gas within the refillable container.
 13. The system ofclaim 12, wherein the refillable container is configured to be coupledto a paintball gun.
 14. The system of claim 1, wherein the lockablesidekick display comprises: a shelf within the lockable sidekick displayconfigured to hold the product.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein theshelf is configured to support the product at an angle configured toreduce the amount of space required between the shelf and a second shelfwithin the lockable sidekick display while permitting at least one ofingress and egress of the product.
 16. The system of claim 14, whereinthe shelf comprises a tongue-in-groove sign holder configured to hold asign comprising information associated with the product.
 17. A methodcomprising: placing a lockable sidekick display configured to display aproduct within a public area of a retail store.
 18. The method of claim17, further comprising: marking at least a portion of the lockablesidekick display with information associated with the product.
 19. Themethod of claim 17, wherein placing the lockable sidekick display withinthe public area of the retail store comprises: coupling a first end of amounting bracket to a hole in the lockable sidekick display; andcoupling a second end of the mounting bracket to an existing retailshelving system.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the productcomprises a first product, and wherein placing the lockable sidekickdisplay within the public area of the retail store comprises: placingthe lockable sidekick display adjacent to a display of a second productassociated with the first product.
 21. The method of claim 17, furthercomprising: displaying the product in the lockable sidekick display. 22.The method of claim 17, wherein the public area is within sight of acash register.
 23. The method of claim 17, further comprising: placing astocking container in a private area of the retail store.
 24. The methodof claim 23, further comprising: stocking the stocking container withthe product; and at least partially refilling the lockable sidekickdisplay from the stocking container.
 25. The method of claim 17, whereinthe product comprises at least one of a refillable container configuredto be filled with a compressible gas and a quantity of the compressiblegas within the refillable container.
 26. The method of claim 25, whereinthe refillable container is configured to be coupled with a paintballgun.
 27. The method of claim 25, wherein the refillable container isdisplayed within the lockable sidekick display in a substantially filledstate, and further comprising: receiving a substantially emptyrefillable container; and exchanging the substantially empty refillablecontainer with a substantially filled refillable container displayedwithin the lockable sidekick display for a fee.
 28. The method of claim27, further comprising: at least partially filling the substantiallyempty refillable container with the compressible gas.
 29. The method ofclaim 17, wherein the lockable sidekick display comprises a door, andfurther comprising: at least one of locking and unlocking the lockablesidekick display; at least one of opening and closing the door; and atleast one of inserting the product into and removing the product fromthe lockable sidekick display.